Extrahepatic malignancies and liver transplantation: current status

Abstract Recipients of liver transplantation remain at higher risk (adjusted for other risk factors) of de novo malignancies. The higher risk can be attributed to the effect of immunosuppression and patient related risk factors (age, tobacco, alcohol, etiology of liver disease). De novo malignancies are an important cause of late mortality in liver transplant recipients. The pattern (type) of post transplant malignancies reflects pattern in local population. The common types include skin cancers, solid organ malignancies and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders. Counseling of patients about risk factors and surveillance protocols may help in prevention and diagnosis at early stage. We also discuss results of liver transplantation in patients with history of extrahepatic malignancy in the pre-transplant period.